Liquid dispenser



1,510,075 BoBRlcK LIQUID DISPENSER M Z? Jl JZ Filed Feb. 2l, 192] \\\\i\ ////[//I/ /W Patented Sept. 30, 1924.

PATENT QFFICE.

GABRIL A. BOBRICK, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

LIQUID DISPENSER.

Application lcd February 21, 1921. Serial No. 446,885.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GABRIEL A. BOBRICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Liquid Dispensers; and the following is such a full, clear, and exact disclosure of the invention that anyone skilled in the art to which it appertains may make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in liquid dispensing devices; and it particularly pertains to improvements in such devices of the class commonly used for dispensing liquid soap! and the like; wherein the product is dispensed in measured quantities by the displacement action of a plunger within a displacement chamber.

The invention as disclosed hereinafter is specifically illustrated and defined as an improvement on my liquid dispensing device of the same general character, shown and described in a copending application, Serial Number 397,693, filed July 20, 1920; although, of course, it will be understood that the invention is not at all necessarily limited to the speciiic structure of such a dispenser.

While I have stated that my invention pertains to liquid soap dispensers; and while the following detailed description, and the drawings illustrating it, set forth the idea as particularly applicable to such uses; it is nevertheless to be understood that it is not necessarily limited to such 4a restricted application; but that such description and illustration are given merely as best suited to disclose its principles.

The foremost obj ect of the present invention is the provision of certain improvements and refinements of structure applicable to a dispenser of the general type disclosed in the aforementioned copending application, whereby its operation is rendered more `positive and efiicient; and at the same time, due to such improvements, its cost of manufacture is considerably lessened. Or, it may be stated, in other words, the operation of this form of device is made more perfect by the added improvement, without increasing its cost of manufacture.

A preferred specific embodiment of my invention will be fully described in detail in the following specification, reference being stance.

made therein to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken through the center of my dispenser, as shown in the aforementioned copending application, Serial Number 397,693, showing my improvements as a plied thereto, the movable parts being in tiieir normal lpositions; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating another form of my improvements; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation showing my invention as applied to a vertical dispenser; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, similar to that shown in Fig. 2, with the movable parts .in operative position.

As above stated, the present invention is primarily an improvement on a liquid dispenser such as is shown and described in my copending application, Serial Number 397,693; therefore the major portion of the elements of the device illustrated in the drawings is practically identical with the device illustrated and described in that application; but, in order that the details of my present invention may be more fully set forth, in its rel-ation to the said dispenser and in overcoming some of its defects, the first part of this specification will be devoted to a repetition of the description and operation of that device.

The manner in which the present type of dispenser is designed to be used, that is, in connection with a liquid supply tank, either applied directly to the dispenser, or the dispenser constituting a part of a supply system wherein the supply tank may be positioned to supply the material either by pressure from 4below or gravity from above, has been fully stated in my previous application and need not be repeated in the present in- Sufice to say that it is designed to be used in connection with a suitable source of liquid supply.

Throughout the drawings the numeral 10 designates generally the main or body portion of the dispenser, constructed of suitable material, and of neat and finished appearance. A concentric cylindrical bore 11 extends throughout the major portion of the length of the body portion 10, from the supply end 12; and a smaller or reduced bore 13 extends from the end of the bore 11. Thus a shoulder 14 is formed adjacent the discharge end 15. The bore 11 adjacent the end 12 is internally screw threaded, as at 16, for the application of the device to a suitably externally screw threaded supply pipe (not shown).

The inne-r end of the bore 11, adjacent the shoulder 14, is internally screw threaded, as at 17; these screw threads being engaged by externa1-screw threads on the periper of a cylindrical displacement chamber 18 inserted in the bore 11. Transverse slots 19 are cut in the top of the closed end 2O of the displacement chamber 18 which are adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool for properly adjusting the said chamber in the bore l1. A concentric bore 21 extends from the forward end 22 of the displacement chamber 18 to a point adjacent the rear end 2O thereof, and a reduced or lrestricted bore 23 extends from the rear end of the bore 21, concentric therewith, through the end 20, there being an annular shoulder 24 between the two boxes. There is thus formed a cylindrical sleeve member With an open end and a closed end, the latter being pierced by the small bore 23. The forward end 22 of the displacement chamber 18 is adapted to be screwed down against a asket 25, seated on the shoulder 14; this gaset being constructed of any suitable material such as rubber or leather, and being adapted to fit as tightly as practicable around the periphery 2G of a plunger 27, which is slidably mounted in the bore 13.

The plunger 27 is cylindrical in cross section to form a ti ht sliding fit in the bore 13, and is reduceg at its outer end 28, thus forming an annular shoulder 29; an annular sleeve 30, of substantially the same diameter as the bore 13, being fitted over the end 28 for the purpose of retaining a suitable paeking 31 between its inner end and the shoulder 29. The sleeve 30 and packing 31 are retained in place bymeans of a cap 32, having an internally screw threaded bore 33 adapted to engage complementary screw threads on the outer reduced end of the portion 28, the inner face 34 of the cap 32 engaging the sleeve 30.

The cap 32 is removably retained in place by mea-ns ofaset screw 35 extending throu h it and screw-threadedly engaging a comp ementary bore in the end 28 of the plunger 27. By screwing the cap 32 down on the threads 33 the sleeve 30 is forced against the packing 31, thus expanding it into contact with the inner peripheral wall of the bore 13 and contracting it around reduced plunger part 28. An annular recess 3G is cut in the periphery of the plunger 27, intermediate the packing 31 and the inner end 37, the function of which will be more fully hereinafter explained, this recess being positioned to lie wholly Within the bore 13, intermediate the shoulder 14 and the outer end 38, when the plunger 27 is in its normal inoperative position, as shown in Fiff. 1.

n annular flange 39 surroundsthe inner end 37 of the plunger 27, sli htly spaced from the inner face 40 thereo this flange being adapted to normally seat on the gasket 25, to form a portion of the outlet valvular means of the dispenser, a further portion of this valvular means being formed by the peripheral face 26 contact-ing with the inner peripheral Wall of the body 1U, when the parts are in normal inoperative position. It will be noted that the diameter of the flange 39 is slightly less than that of the bore 21 in order that the liquid in the displacement chamber may freely pass between them when the plunger 27 is moved towards the end 12.

A cylindrical valve pin 41 is rigidly mounted in the inner end 37 of the plunger 27, concentric therewith and with the bore 21, and in axial alinement with the bore 23. The diameter of the pin 41 is to be as nearly that of the bore 23 as possible, and still permit the pin to slidingly engage the latter when the plunger 27 is moved inwardl The plunger 27 is normally held in its outermost position, (Fig. l) and the flange 39 held in contact with the gasket 25, as shown in Fig. 1, by the action of a spiral wire spring 44; this spring being confined between the flange 39 and a flanged collar 45 located in the inner end of' the bore 21.

When the movable parts are in their normal positions (Fig. 1) liquid flows from .the supply end 12 of the bore 11, through the bore 23 into the chamber 21. Upon movement of the plunger 27 rearwardly (inwardly) pin 41 enters the bore 23, shutting ofiI the li uid supply to the chamber 21 shortly be ore the inner end of the recessed portion 36 passes the Washer 25 to establish communication between the chamber 21 and the dischar e port 42. Further inward movement o the plunger (from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 4) displaces a certain amount of liquid in the bore 21, forcing it past the periphery of the flange 39, through the bore 13 around the periphery of the recessed portion 36 and out through the port 42. From the foregoing it is clear that the function of the plunger is to eject the liquid from the chamber 21, by displacement, while at the same time the pin 41 closes the port 23 to prevent its being forced back into the supply pipe during this movement.

As stated in my previous application, the object of the above described arrangement of elements is for the purpose of providing a dispenserl for dispensing a limited or Incasured amount of liquid; and for this reason the valve pin 41 is adapted to close the inlet port 23 when the plunger 27 is moved to displace the liquid, through the discharge port 42. This closure of the port 23 is provided not only for the purpose of dispensing a measured amount of the liquid, but also to prevent opening of the discharge port by rearward movement of the plunger and holding it o en for a suicient length of time to drain tie supply tank. To guard against this the pin 41 must fit the port 23 sufficiently close to absolutely prevent any of the liquid entering the displacement chamber when the plunger is moved to discharge the material through the port 42, as shown in F ig. 4.

In practice I` have found that while it is possible to get material for `the pins 41 of uniform diameter, it is not always possible, without the expenditure of a. prohibitive amount of time and labor, to drill the bore or port 23 in quantity production to lit sulliciently close to absolutely prevent any liquid entering the displacement chamber when the pin 41 is inserted therein, and thereby prevent draining of the supply tank, especially when the liquid is supplied under pressure. To overcome this defect, and to avoid adding greatly to the cost of the dispenser, by such additional expenditure of time and labor in its construction as to make the port 23 a perfect fit for the pin 41, or vice versa, I provide the collar 45 with a gasket 46, of suitable material, such as rubber, interposed between it and the shoulder 24. The collar 45 has a concentric bore 47, slightly larger than thel diameter ofthe valve pin 41, and into which bore the said pin extends when the movable parts are in their normal position as shown in Fig. 1. This enlargement of the bore 47 permits liquid to flow freely into the displacement chamber around the end 43 of the pin 41 when the plunger 27 approaches its normal position, The collar 45 also has an annular flange 48 extending outwardly from its periphery, this flange being adapted to closely fit the perimeter of the bore 21, and also forms a seat for the end of the coil spring 44. The coil spring 44 thus has two functions, i. e., that of holding the plunge-r 27 in its outward or normal position and the flange 39 in seating contact with the gasket 25, and that of holding the gasket 46 in place against the shoulder24, and exert-ing a pressure on the gasket. The gasket 46 is cut to fit closely' in the bore 21, and it has a central aperture 49 concentric with the bore 23, this aperture 49 preferably being slightly smaller than the diameters of the said port and the pin 41; so that when the plunger 27 is moved rearwardly to open the discharge port and the pin 41 made to enter the port 23, it will before-ed through the aperture 49, expanding it slightly, and thereby causing the gasket to fit tightly around the periphery of the pin, and effectually sealing the closure of the port 23.

It will be noted that inasmuch as the gasket 46 fits tightly in the bore 21, the pressure of collar `45 against it causes its compression in thickness and thereby causes it to compress the aperture 49, thus causing it to always tightly engage the pin 41 when the plunger 27 is moved rearwardly; and the farther it is moved the greater the pressure on the gasket 46 through the action of the spring 44 pressing against the collar 45, and the greater will be the compression of the gasket 46 towards its bore 49 consequent-ly causing it to grip more tightly about the periphery of the pin 41. This action takes place when the pressure in the displacement chamber is greatest due to the plunger 27 displacing the liquid therein.

Not only does the gasket 46 compensate for any slight inaccuracies in the fit between the pin 41 and bore 23, due to imperfect methods ofmanufacture, but it will also compensate for such misfit due to wear of these parts. Ordinarily such wearing of the parts would necessitate the replacement of the pin 41 or the chamber 18, or both; but with the use of the gasket no such replacement will be necessary. The gasket itself will ordinarily wear out in time, but its replacement will cost but a few cents; thereby resulting, in a great saving in the cost of maintenance of the dispensers.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, I have shown a construction designed `to reduce the cost of manufacture of the dispenser, over that shown in Fig. 1, by eliminating the displacement chamber as shown in the latter figure, and substituting in its stead a plug 202L substantially the same as the end 20 of the said chamber 18, with the exception that the inner sleeve portion has been dispensed with, and instead screw threads 17a provided on the periphery of this portion, which screw threads are adapted to engage complementary threads 17b in the bore 11 adjacent the end f12 and the screw threads 16. The inner face 11a of the bore 11 is Slightly relieved, forming a small shoulder 50, and an annular flange 51 formed on the periphery of the plug 2Oa is adapted to abuty aga-inst this shoulder to limit the inward adjustment of that member. A shallow recess 21a is formed in the opposite face of the plug 20a, thus forming a seat 24 intermediate this bore and the inlet 'bore 23, against which the gasket 46 is adapted to rest and be retained in place by the collar-45. In all other essentials the parts are similar, except that instead of the bore 21 constituting the displacement chamber, the bore 11, intermediate the plug 20a and the gasket 25, in this instance, will constitute such chamber.

. Instead of the cylindrical end 22of the within the scope of port when the outlet against the gasket 25, this washer and the said gasket being held in place by the action of a spiral spring 53, confined between the said washer and the end 54 of the plug 20.

Fig. 3 illustrates a forni of construction known as the vertical type wherein the modifications illustrated in connection with Figs. 2 and 4, are shown to be applied, with the exception that a different type of body member 10 is supplied and the plunger 27* being modified in structure to provide a different type of discharge. In this instance a plunger 27 is reduced as at 36 below the peripheral portion 26, so that when the plunger is moved upwardly in that figure, the liquid will be discharged downwardly around the plunger 27 andl between it and the wall of the bore 13. Thus when the plunger 27* is moved upwardly by pressing against it with the pa m of the hand, the liquid will be discharged downwardly around the plunger into the palm. In all other respects this type of dispenser is identical with the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

While I have shownand described the preferred specific embodiment of my invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that I reserve the right to' make all changes or modifications in structure which may appear to those skilled in the art, and which come the appended. claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a liquid dispenser, having a displacement chamber, in let and outlet ports in said chamber, a valve for the outlet port, yielding means to hold said valve normally seated in said outlet port, and a valve pin carried by said valve adapted to extend into and close said inlet valve is open; of a flexible plate mounted adjacent said inlet porthaving an aperture in axial alinement therewith, the said aperture being of smaller area than the cross-sectional area of the valve pin, the said pin being adapted to extend through said aperture and be frictionally engaged by its perimeter to seal the closure of the inlet port,4 a secondary plate having an aperture and bearing against the inner face of said flexible plate, the said valve seating means being confined between the last named plate and the valve.

2. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber havin a port and a longitudinally movable pin a apted to move to and from said port, a compressible washer arranged at the ported end of the chamber and havin an opening which is effectively smaller than the pin, the pin being movable through said opening and pressure means pressing on the washer and acting to keep its opening reduced in size.

3. In a liquid dispenser,

a displacement chamber lhaving an inlet and an outlet port,

a plunger member in the outlet port and extending into the chamber, a closure pin actuated by the plunger and adapted to move to and from the inlet port, a compressible washer at the inlet port end of the chamber through which washer thepin passes, another resilient washer at the outlet port end of the chamber surrounding the plunger, and resilient mea-ns bearing on said washers to compress them.

4. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber havin an inlet and an outlet ort, a plunger memer in the outlet port an extending into the chamber, a closure pin actuated by the plunger and adapted to move to and from the inlet port, a compressible washer at the inlet ort end of the chamber through which waslier the pin passes, and resilient means bearing at one end on said washer to compress it and bearing at the other end the plunger.

5. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber havin an inlet and an outlet port, a plunger mem er in the outlet port and extending into the chamber, a closure member actuated by the plunger and adapted to close and open the inlet port, a compressible washer at the face of the outlet port and surrounding the plunger, and resilient means bearing on said washer to compress it and acting to keep its opening reduced in size.

6. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber having an inlet and an outlet port, a plunger member in the outlet port, and extending into the chamber, a closure pin actuated by the plunger and adapted to enter the inlet port, a compressible washer at the inlet port end ofthe chamber through which washer the pin passes to enter the inlet port, another compressible washer at the outlet port end of the chamber and surrounding the plunger, and resilient means bearin on said washers to compress them, said resi ient means for the inlet port washer being a spring confined between the washer and the plunger, said resilient means for the outlet port washer being a spring confined between the washer and a wall of the chamber.

7. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber and a plunger adapted to move into the chamber to displace liquid therefrom, an outlet port opened by the plunger on its inward stroke, an inlet port and a plunger actuated pin adapted to control the port, a yielding washer surrounding the last named port and having a pin assage of smaller effective size than the pin and into which g the pin passes at the time the outlet port opens, the outlet port being opened by the p un er substantially simultaneously with the c osure of the pin passage by the pin.

8. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber and a plunger adapted to move into the chamber to displace liquid therefrom, an outlet port opened by the plunger on its in- Ward stroke, an inlet port and a plunger actuated pin adapted to control the port, a yielding valve seat member associated With the last-named port and with which the pin coacts to close the inlet port at the time the outlet port opens.

9. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber having an inlet and outlet port, a valve for the outlet port, means actuated by the valve to close said inlet port when the valve is open, a resilient member adapted to engage said closing means to seal the closure, and means to hold said resilient member in place.

10. In a liquid dispenser, a displacement chamber having an inlet and outlet port, a plunger closure in the outlet port extending into the chamber, a closure pin actuated by the plunger to enter the inlet port, a .resilient Washer arranged at the inlet port through which the pin passes to enter the said port and is engaged thereby to seal the closure, another resilient Washer arranged at the outlet port surrounding the plunger to seal its closure, and means to hold the said washers in place.`

11. In a liquid dispenser a displacement chamber having an inlet and outlet port, a plunger closure in the outlet port extending into the chamber, a closure pin actuated by the plunger to enter the inlet port, a resilient washer arranged at the inlet port through which the pin passes to enter .the said port and is engaged thereby t'o seal the closure, another resilient washer arranged at the outlet port surrounding the plunger to seal its closure, and means bearing against said Washers to compress them and keep their openings reduced in size, and to hold them in place.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of February 1921.

GABRIEL A. BOBRICK.

Witness:

VIRGINIA BERINGER. 

